A Medical Handover Ceremony

 

These women attended the Ceremony and really got into their dancing and singing. I asked them if I could take their picture and they were more than happy to oblige!!

This Handover Ceremony was for a medical facility, particularly for women. We were told that women in labor would sometimes have to walk up to two hours to get to the clinic to deliver their babies...if they made it at all. I can't imagine walking for two hours while in labor!!! Not only that but they were delivering babies in tents or buildings like the pictures below:

These tents and the building were on the same property and just steps away from the new building. I believe they will continue to use them as needed. While we were there, medical staff all dressed in uniforms, were in the tent surrounding a table that was strewn with papers.

 

               This is the new facility and here some of the people have gathered for the celebration.

The man in the middle was the main dignitary from the government that was present. He spoke and was very favorable to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for their contributions. The gentleman seated next to him was President Mushala, counselor in the Stake Presidency. He also spoke. The village chief representative and also other medical people spoke. Lots of emphasis was placed on the people now taking responsibility, maintaining, and protecting the new facility.

Part of the project included building this water tower for clean water.  These towers are on properties all over Lusaka. Of course the bore hole, as it is called here, or well is below the tower.

 

Inside the building is this set up for washing your hands. There was only one sink that had running water, as you can see in the picture below.

 

The church also provided equipment, such as beds and dividing curtains.

The sign here lets people know of the services offered. To get to the clinic you have to drive down a very rough, rocky, pot holed, littered dirt road.